Kelley named Alaska comfish director

Alaska Department of Fish and Game veteran Scott Kelley will be the state's new commercial fisheries director, succeeding Jeff Regnart.

Here's the memo sent last week to department employees:

Dear ADF&G staff,

I am pleased to announce Scott Kelley has accepted the position of Director of the Division of Commercial Fisheries. Many of you know Scott because he has worked for the Division of Commercial Fisheries for nearly 25 years, most recently as a fish and game coordinator for the shellfish and groundfish fisheries in Southeast. Scott holds a Bachelor’s degree in fisheries management and Master’s degree in fisheries science. He also has substantial expertise in the Alaska Board of Fisheries process, years of experience in salmon enhancement planning and project development, a solid understanding of the Pacific Salmon Treaty, and intimate knowledge of the budget process and the various fund sources that make up the division’s budget. His education and experience will be a valued addition to the leadership team.

His first day as director will officially be Wednesday, October 21. Scott will begin by representing the department at the Board of Fisheries Work Session in Anchorage.

Many thanks to Forrest Bowers for stepping forward to act as director during the last few weeks while recruitment efforts were underway.

Please join me in welcoming Scott to his new role, and offering your assistance as he transitions to the director position.

Sincerely,

Sam Cotten
Commissioner

Governor makes moves on fisheries leadership

Gov. Bill Walker has removed the "acting" from Sam Cotten's job title. Cotten is now commissioner of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.

On another front, the Peninsula Clarion reports that Karl Johnstone, chairman of the state Board of Fisheries, has resigned.

Cotten named acting fish and game commissioner

Gov. Bill Walker has appointed Sam Cotten as acting commissioner of the Department of Fish and Game.

Here's the official announcement.

Cotten, Fields retain seats on council

The Obama administration today appointed Sam Cotten of Eagle River and Duncan Fields of Kodiak to new three-year terms on the North Pacific Fishery Management Council.

That Cotten will stay on the 11-member panel is a bit of a surprise, as Alaska Gov. Sean Parnell indicated he wanted to replace him with Jim Hubbard, a Seward halibut and sablefish longliner.

Cotten waged a strong campaign to keep his seat, industry players said. Plus, he is strongly identified as a Democrat, which certainly can't be said of the governor.

Of course, one might also suppose that Cotten simply has done a job worthy of another term on the council.

Here is today's announcement from the Commerce Department.

Who wants a council seat?

Two members of the North Pacific Fishery Management Council, Sam Cotten of Eagle River and Duncan Fields of Kodiak, will see their three-year terms expire in August.

From what I've heard, these two first-termers want another hitch on the 11-member council.

But challengers for the two seats already are stacking up in Gov. Sean Parnell's office. The governor later this year will submit his choices to the U.S. commerce secretary for final approval.

So who wants a council seat?

The governor's office provided Deckboss this list of people who have applied thus far:

Mike Heimbuch, a Homer commercial fisherman

Matt Moir, general manager of Alaska Pacific Seafoods in Kodiak

Donald Poulos, an Anchorage resident and former commercial fisherman out of Kodiak and Chignik

Michael Robbins, an Anchorage attorney

Dick Tremaine, an Anchorage resident and asset manager for Norton Sound Economic Development Corp.